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Diamondback Podium Equipe review review

The second-generation Diamondback Podium Equipe is a definite improvement over the original with a notably stiffer and precise-handling chassis than before plus a few aero design elements

(James Huang / Immediate Media)

2 / 25

Like it or not, Diamondback has stuck with the striking monochrome red finish for its flagship Podium Equipe

(James Huang / Immediate Media)

3 / 25

The U-shaped down tube is a modified version of what Diamondback uses on its Serios time trial/triathlon platform

(James Huang / Immediate Media)

4 / 25

The front end is noticeably stouter than before for more confident handling, particularly in high speed descents. The versatile internal cable routing system can accommodate essentially any drivetrain currently on the market

(James Huang / Immediate Media)

5 / 25

The bigger tubes impart a much stiffer feel than the original Podium Equipe

(James Huang / Immediate Media)

6 / 25

The chainstays feature a larger cross-section for improved power transfer

The flare at the base of the head tube area is intended to smooth airflow coming off of the front brake

(James Huang / Immediate Media)

9 / 25

The feature badging is rather excessive

(James Huang / Immediate Media)

10 / 25

The new fork is more elegantly shaped than before with more slender legs and a more visually appealing taper

(James Huang / Immediate Media)

11 / 25

Offset seat clusters like this are often touted for flexing more under impact loads than traditional intersections

(James Huang / Immediate Media)

12 / 25

The hidden binder is visually tidy but the recessed bolt can be difficult to access with some tools

(James Huang / Immediate Media)

13 / 25

Clearly there are a lack of holes and feature call-outs on this frame

(James Huang / Immediate Media)

14 / 25

Although PF30 shells are often prone to creaking, Diamondback has made the brilliant move of speccing a Praxis conversion bottom bracket to go with the Shimano Dura-Ace crank. Prior experience has shown this to be a bulletproof long-term solution while still allowing the use of narrow-format BB/PF30 cranksets

(James Huang / Immediate Media)

15 / 25

A rubber cover provides some protection for the front derailleur cable exit point. Water will invariably still get in here, though

(James Huang / Immediate Media)

16 / 25

Rubber guards are included to help protect the paint from housing rub

(James Huang / Immediate Media)

17 / 25

Shifting performance from the Shimano Dura-Ace levers is light and essentially flawless

(James Huang / Immediate Media)

18 / 25

Shimano Dura-Ace continues to be one of the best crank choices out there. Shift performance is absolutely stellar, especially under power

(James Huang / Immediate Media)

19 / 25

Electronic shifting may get all the attention but standard Shimano Dura-Ace is still a stellar transmission

(James Huang / Immediate Media)

20 / 25

Diamondback desperates wants the Podium Equipe to be perceived as a top-shelf race bike - and to be honest, it's plenty capable of racing at the highest levels of the sport. The standard-sized chainrings and tight-ratio cassette are in keeping with that goal but mid-compact rings and a wider-range cassette (or at least options for either) would make the bike more appropriate with average consumers' more average-sized outputs

(James Huang / Immediate Media)

21 / 25

The HED Jet 4 clinchers are a bit heavier than full-carbon rims but they're wicked fast and offer better braking performance than any carbon rim could hope for

(James Huang / Immediate Media)

22 / 25

The 23mm labeling may suggest a narrow profile but when mounted on to the wide HED rims, the tires measure closer to 25mm with a fantastic ride quality and excellent cornering grip

(James Huang / Immediate Media)

23 / 25

The Prologo is very firm but well shaped for hours of comfort – assuming you get along with flatter saddle shapes in general

(James Huang / Immediate Media)

24 / 25

HED also supplies the all-alloy cockpit. The bar is well shaped but the specified stem lengths seem short across the board – and good luck finding a replacement in red

(James Huang / Immediate Media)

25 / 25

The curved seatstays suggest a modicum of flex in the rear end on bumps but in reality, the new frame rides more firmly than before

Diamondback created quite a stir when it jumped headfirst into the high-end road market with its first-generation Podium Equipe – a carbon road racer designed to go head-to-head with the big boys. This second-generation bike is a big improvement in many ways with a more refined ride, better handling, and a modicum of aero shaping but the company’s relative newcomer status still shows through in a few key missteps.

Sharper and faster

The wholly redesigned frame unquestionably addresses my biggest criticisms with the previous version. Front triangle stiffness is drastically improved and high-speed handling greatly benefits as a result. Whereas mid-corner bumps could sometimes throw you off-course before, this new version more consistently cuts the desired line for faster, more confident, and safer descending.

Like it or not, diamondback has stuck with the striking monochrome red finish for its flagship podium equipe: like it or not, diamondback has stuck with the striking monochrome red finish for its flagship podium equipe

The redesigned Podium Equipe frame is notably stiffer than before – and supposedly 100g lighter, too

In fact, chassis stiffness in general has gotten much better. Under power, the Podium Equipe now feels closer to its mainstream competitors and there’s a lot more ‘snap’ when you mash the pedals – seated or standing. Instead of having to gradually wind things up before, now you can simply pour on the power and get a far quicker return on your investment.

Speaking of speed, Diamondback has also infused the new Podium Equipe with some aero shaping. In particular, the down tube sports a new U-shaped cross-section, the base of the head tube flares outward to smooth airflow coming off of the front brake, and the entire head tube is deeper overall. It’s not enough to be noticeable from the saddle but it’s a welcome change nonetheless.

The u-shaped down tube is a modified version of what diamondback uses on its serios time trial/triathlon platform: the u-shaped down tube is a modified version of what diamondback uses on its serios time trial/triathlon platform

The down tube sports a U-shaped cross-section that Diamondback claims is more aerodynamic than the original version

Not so welcome, however, is the change in ride quality. One of the things I enjoyed about the previous iteration was its impressively smooth and comfortable feel over rougher paved roads. Diamondback may have thankfully boosted the torsional and drivetrain rigidity this time around but it’s no longer the magic carpet it used to be. The chassis still damps small-amplitude road buzz very well but medium-to-hard impacts now produce the same crash you’d typically expect from a race-oriented carbon frame.

Speaking of racing, Diamondback has thankfully carried over the previous version’s excellent handling, which is noticeably quicker than bikes aimed more at endurance riding but more than appropriate for the intended usage. Initial turn-in is immediate and responsive with but a flick of the wrist required to get the bike arcing through a tight apex – and mid-corner corrections are easy, too.

The front end is noticeably stouter than before for more confident handling, particularly in high speed descents. the versatile internal cable routing system can accommodate essentially any drivetrain currently on the market: the front end is noticeably stouter than before for more confident handling, particularly in high speed descents. the versatile internal cable routing system can accommodate essentially any drivetrain currently on the market

The stiffer front end lends much more confidence through fast corners than before

Heading matters further is the excellent wheel-and-tire package. The unusually generous 21mm of space in between the bead hooks on the HED Jet 4 clinchers plumps the Continental GP4000s IIs up to a healthy 25mm – 2mm more than usual – and flattens out the profile a bit for awesome cornering grip.

Meanwhile, the low bottom bracket (with a healthy 72.5mm of drop on my 52cm tester) keeps the center of gravity noticeably low for stable manners at warp speed. Even at 80km/h (50mph) in a full tuck, the Podium Equipe feels rock-solid – and when it comes down to reign things in, the Jet 4’s alloy braking surfaces offer up much more predictable and consistent stopping power than any carbon rim I’ve used, wet or dry.

A top-shelf build kit

Diamondback certainly hasn’t skimped when it comes to the Podium Equipe’s spec sheet, which is filled to the brim with premium name-brand componentry such as a complete Shimano Dura-Ace 11-speed mechanical groupset (simply one of the very best available today) and a firm but well-shaped and comfortable Prologo Zero-II Nack carbon-railed saddle. In addition to the gloriously speedy and stable Jet 4 clincher wheels mentioned earlier, the HED name is also stamped on the stout alloy cockpit.

Shimano dura-ace continues to be one of the best crank choices out there. shift performance is absolutely stellar, especially under power: shimano dura-ace continues to be one of the best crank choices out there. shift performance is absolutely stellar, especially under power

One especially excellent highlight is the bottom bracket. Although some potential buyers may be put off by the frame’s PF30 shell, Diamondback fills that space with a Praxis conversion bottom bracket, whose expanding collet design braces tightly against the inside of the shell. Previous experience with those has proven them to be rock-solid and creak-free (although one could easily argue that Diamondback should have just skipped a step and used a standard threaded shell instead).

One unfortunate lowlight, however, is the stock gearing. Diamondback pegs the Podium Equipe as a “world class road race machine” but few everyday riders have sufficient power to handle the stock 53/39-tooth chainrings and narrow-range 11-25t cassette. This is a fine choice for enthusiasts living in flatter regions but it’s simply too ambitious if there’s any appreciable climbing involved. Those bits can obviously be swapped out but only at a significant additional cost; Diamondback doesn’t offer any other gearing options from the factory.

The hed jet 4 clinchers are a bit heavier than full-carbon rims but they're wicked fast and offer better braking performance than any carbon rim could hope for: the hed jet 4 clinchers are a bit heavier than full-carbon rims but they're wicked fast and offer better braking performance than any carbon rim could hope for

At least there’s minimal weight to tow around as the complete bike tips the scales at 7kg on the nose (15.43lb, without pedals). That’s an impressive figure although heavier than the previous version I tested, which came in at a truly feathery 6.18kg (13.62lb). That bike’s standard HED Stinger 4 SCT carbon tubular wheels were certainly lighter but I’m personally happy to see the switch to more practical rolling stock this time around.

Very good but could be better

As capable as the Podium Equipe is, I still can’t help but feel that the bike has some growing-up to do. After all, Diamondback has admittedly come a long way in a relatively short period of time but its competition has had the benefit of years – or decades, in many cases – of experience and refinement.

Clearly there are a lack of holes and feature call-outs on this frame: clearly there are a lack of holes and feature call-outs on this frame

How about a few more holes, eh?

For example, I applaud Diamondback for sticking to its decidedly bold – and very, very red – monochromatic paint job but the execution is haphazard. The headset spacers don’t match the stem, which in turn doesn’t match the saddle, which doesn’t match the seatpost, which doesn’t match the frameset. It’s a move designed to perhaps emulate the custom finishes produced by small custom builders but whereas those bikes are typically painted in one place in one batch, Diamondback sources all of those red components from multiple vendors – and the chances of them all matching perfectly are virtually nil.

Second, there’s a certain level of insecurity suggested by all the feature call-outs. Diamondback may have packed the Podium Equipe frame with a laundry list of modern requirements but do we really need separate badging for the Shimano Di2 and Campagnolo EPS ports?

The prologo is very firm but well shaped for hours of comfort - assuming you get along with flatter saddle shapes in general: the prologo is very firm but well shaped for hours of comfort - assuming you get along with flatter saddle shapes in general

There's a lot of red going on here but unfortunately, they don't all match up perfectly

Speaking of which, Diamondback whiffed on the internally routed rear brake line, too. The full-length housing is convenient to service – especially given the relatively big access holes – but it rattles inside the top tube on even smaller bumps. That sort of noise is annoying for any bike, let alone one that’s trying to occupy a premium rung on the ladder.

A question of perception

The new Podium Equipe is very good but without the trump card of a substantially lower price or more appealing spec – and, still saddled by the stigma of not being well-known in the road market, only time will tell if ‘very good’ is good enough. The Trek Madone 9.5 is within striking range price-wise but offers a far superior frame design and substantial cockpit upgrades; likewise, the Specialized S-Works Tarmac Dura-Ace is substantially lighter with a more rigid backbone and far more cachet to boot.

The curved seatstays suggest a modicum of flex in the rear end on bumps but in reality, the new frame rides more firmly than before: the curved seatstays suggest a modicum of flex in the rear end on bumps but in reality, the new frame rides more firmly than before

Without a distinct price, spec, or performance advantage, it's unclear why someone would go with this over a more mainstream competitor

That said, both of those bikes are more likely to be sold at near their asking prices whereas the Diamondback can easily be bought at a substantial discount online. That’s a good thing because as good as this bike is, it’s hard to make the argument for the Diamondback on a level playing field.

Like the quintessential adolescent who’s all too eager to conquer the world with self-proclaimed talents and capabilities, the Podium Equipe may very well have the chops to get it done. But with age and experience comes quiet confidence, and this thing still has some growing-up to do.